Free Safer With You by Trisha Madley Page A

when I came back to Uncle Joe’s, the guest house lights were on and…I found Nora in her car. She’s been beaten, Max. Badly. I’m not sure how she is, they won’t let me leave.”
    “Who won’t let you leave? What do you mean you’re not sure how she is?”
    Jenny is in the background. Max whispers something but I can’t understand him.
    Needing to tell him what happened, “Max, they started CPR on her before she was taken by ambulance. The officer won’t let me go check on her, you need to call her parents and get to the hospital as soon as you can. I’ll find a way to get out of here soon.”
    Max is silent and then says, “Were you with her last night?”
    I internally groan, I knew he was going to ask me this. “I know what you’re thinking but we just talked, Max. Nothing happened.”
    “We’re not done but I’m on my way.” Max hangs up.
    When I look up from the phone, Officer Grant is in front of me and he’s staring at me like he’s seen a ghost. He knows who I am .
    “I know you have had a horrible morning. My apologies for harassing you but I didn’t realize who you were. A call came in after I ran your plates. I was told to let you go with no further questions but I have one request.”
    “Yeah, what’s that?” My voice triumphant.
    “Don’t leave the area, Mr. Madsyn. I still have more questions for you.” He warns.
    “I won’t.” There is only one place I want to be right now and that’s with Nora.

Chapter Eight
    Jase

    As I get in my car, my head floods with a million thoughts. Who and why, but the main question is, why do I even care? So I kissed her last night and asked her out? No big deal, except for some reason it is. There is something so different about her. The way she touches me and the way she looks at me. I can’t explain it, but whatever it is, I want more of it, of her.
    I arrived at the hospital faster than I should have, and now I’m sitting here motionless. It’s now that I realize that the moment I pass through those doors, she may be alive and awake or gone. How will Jenny and Max react? They were supposed to be on their honeymoon, not coming to their sister’s deathbed.
    To distract myself, I check my cell phone; I notice the screen is smudged with blood. My shifting eyes finally associate with my brain. I’m covered in blood…my hands, my shirt, my pants…all covered—in her blood.
    I have to get in there before I can’t move.  
    I exit the car hastily. Jenny and Max aren’t here yet. Thinking of the best way to get in to see her, I come up with a plan.
    Luckily, there is an attractive woman at the nurse’s station. A few sweet words and this should be easy.
    “Can I help you, sir?” She gives me a dazzling smile.
    “Yes, a woman was brought here by ambulance, Nora Skye. Can you tell me where she is?” Turning on the charm is the only way to go.
    “Are you family?” she asks.
    Well, technically, only through marriage, but maybe that will be enough until I can speak with the president of the hospital. He owes me a few favors.
    “Yes, I called the ambulance…” The nurse flies out of her chair, comes out from around the desk, and grabs me by the arm.
    “I helped work on her when she was brought in. It’s horrible that someone would hurt her like that, but they said a man saved her, so I’m assuming that’s you. If I’m right, I won’t turn you away.”  
    A breath escapes me; it feels like an eternity since I let out a breath in relief. She is alive. It’s going to be okay.
    The nurse takes her badge from around her neck and scans it against the door lock. She motions for me to follow her. Unexpectedly, my legs refuse to move; there is nothing good that can come from walking through that door.
    I know my life is going to change.
    The nurse must detect my hesitation, “It’s alright, Sir; if you’re a bit squeamish, you can stay in the waiting room and I’ll check in on her.”
    I’m not squeamish; I deal with murders, for